Take Care of Your Own AC Repairs Like a Pro!

If your air conditioning isn’t working as it should, there are a number of things that could be causing the problem. The prospect of calling a professional for AC repair can be intimidating, especially if the issue winds up being something small and easily fixable. Luckily, there are things you can do to troubleshoot the problem before bringing in a contractor to address it. Performing these checks can solve the problem upfront; it will also help to rule certain things out if you do wind up having to call a professional. 

Here are some things you can try if your air conditioning system is working improperly or has stopped working at all: 

Check Your Circuit Breaker

Your AC draws a lot of power through its electrical circuit. If you have several appliances or lights on the same breaker, or if there is a brief power surge, the circuit breaker can trip and stop electricity from flowing through the circuit. This prevents your air conditioner from turning on. A tripped breaker will be in the “off” position instead of the “on” position. Reset any tripped breakers back to the “on” position and see if that solves the problem. If you know how, you can also try performing a hard reset for your system. 

Take a Look at Your Thermostat

Before calling an AC repair professional, it’s important to rule out easy fixes such as problems with the thermostat. Check the settings on your thermostat to make sure that nothing got inadvertently changed and that the unit is set to the correct temperature. Check the batteries to see if they need to be switched. Make sure the unit is turned on and it not set to just have the fan blow. 

Change Your Filter

Many problems with your air conditioning can be solved by consistently changing your filter. If your filter is dirty or clogged, it can cause problems and prevent your unit from working efficiently. Check your filter often and change it on a regular basis. 

Clear Out Debris

Dirty air conditioning units can be the cause of many problems, especially during Western New York’s active pollen season. Instead of an actual AC repair, you might just need to clean it. Make sure there are no stray plants, leaves, or debris blocking your outdoor unit - this can prevent airflow. Melt any ice that you might find on the unit. Make sure there are at least two feet of clearance around your unit and several feet of vertical clearance. Outdoor AC units need plenty of overhead room, as they release most of their heat from the top. 

Check Your Ducts

If you are able, check your ducts to make sure that air is flowing out of all of them and that none of the registers have accidentally closed. If your ducts are dirty enough to block air flow, they will definitely need to be cleaned. Cleaning your ducts can help air flow more efficiently and get your AC system working again.

When All Else Fails, Call a Professional

If you have tried all of these things and your air conditioning still isn’t working, it’s time to enlist the help of an experienced AC repair technician. Consulting a knowledgeable air conditioning contractor can ensure that the work is done safely and effectively so that your system can work properly again.